According to the Union Tourism Ministry, Ayodhya’s total visitors rose from 600,000 in 2020 to over 160 million in 2024. The growing influx has driven employment across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transport, and retail.

Ayodhya at the heart of India’s religious tourism boom

After becoming the first country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's south pole region, India plans to launch a fifth lunar probe carrying a 25-kilogram rover, in collaboration with Japan's JAXA.

India: Centre Approves Chandrayaan-5 Moon Mission

Indian govt gives nod to Chandrayaan-5 moon mission

India approves Chandrayaan-5 moon mission

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on Monday and presented her with Ganga water from the Maha Kumbh. Watch in for more details!

Indian PM Modi gifts a vase containing 'Gangajal' to US intel chief

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu urged people to learn as many languages as possible and appealed to them to stay away from "unnecessary politics over languages". Watch in for more details!

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu calls for linguistic freedom in education

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand hold joint press meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

India-New Zealand ties: India, New Zealand hold negotiations on free trade agreement

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard is in India, marking the first high-level trip from the Trump administration. Gabbard met NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit.

US Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard meets NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Delhi today,  ANI reported. The Defence Minister and the American National Intelligence Chief in the South Block and discuss the issues of mutual interest for the two sides, defence ministry officials said

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Transgender persons took part in the proclamation rally of ‘Varnapakittu’ in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Watch to know more!

Kerala: ‘Varnapakittu’ arts festival for transgender people begins in Thiruvananthapuram

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in India on a five-day visit. This is the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to India in nine years. The New Zealand Prime Minister is set to meet India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. On the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister will visit the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, followed by meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. The bilateral meeting will see both countries exchange various memorandums at the Hyderabad House. Watch in for more details!

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon arrives on 5-day India visit, to meet PM Modi

New Zealand PM In India: Piyush Goyal & Todd Mcclay Announce India-NZ FTA Talks

India, New Zealand announce resumption of free trade agreement talks

India's Election Commission has called for a high-level meeting to address discrepancies in voter ID numbers. Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar has called for detailed discussions on the matter with the Union Home Ministry, Law Ministry, and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The measures will focus on how to link Aadhaar, the Indian citizen's unique identity number, with the voter ID card.

India: Chief Election Commissioner calls top officials' meeting over linking Aadhaar, voter ID

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to arrive in India for his first official visit. Over the five-day trip, he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. Watch this report for more updates!

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon begins five-day visit to India

India has launched a major crackdown on e-commerce platforms for selling non-compliant goods. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated legal action under the BIS Act, 2016, with penalties ranging from ₹2 lakh to ten times the product's value. Raids have been conducted at multiple warehouses as authorities tighten regulations.

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In the backdrop of a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration in the US, an Indian PhD student, Ranjani Srinivasan, studying at Columbia University, self-deported from the US on 11th March using the newly launched self-deportation tool for migrants. Watch in for more details!

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A tragic hit-and-run case in Vadodara has left one woman dead and at least seven others severely injured. A law student, accused of reckless driving, has been arrested after his speeding car rammed multiple vehicles. Police are investigating the incident as public outrage grows.

Vadodara hit-and-run horror: Law student kills 1, injures 7

Haldiram’s, India’s leading ethnic snacks company,  

Is set to sell an additional 5 percent stake for around 500 million dollars as part of its pre-IPO placement. 

This comes after Singapore-based Temasek secured a 10 percent stake in the company for 1 billion dollars, valuing Haldiram’s at 10 billion dollars. 

With multiple foreign buyers eyeing a stake in the company, the question is: is Haldiram’s shifting its base?

Temasek takes a ‘bite’ of haldiram's

Further escalating the row with the NDA-led Centre, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu on Thursday released the logo for its budget for the year 2025-26, which replaced the Indian Rupee symbol with a Tamil letter. TN Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is scheduled to table the budget for 2025-26 on Friday. Now, Andhra Pradesh deputy CM is questioning the Tamil Nadu Government for dubbing Tamil movies in Hindi for revenue. Watch to know more!

India: Andhra Pradesh deputy CM Kalyan questions Tamil Nadu's stance on Hindi

Bangladesh has revoked the diplomatic passport of Harun Al Rashid, the immediate past ambassador to Morocco, after he praised PM Sheikh Hasina and criticized Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in a Facebook post. The Foreign Ministry accused him of harboring 'hidden motives' as he moved to Canada without approval after resigning on February 27.

Bangladesh revokes diplomat's passport after facebook post controversy

<p>ANI | At least five people were injured after an assailant attacked people with an iron rod in the Golden Temple premises on Friday. The attack took place at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai which is a lodging facility for pilgrims.</p>
<p>Two patients in serious condition were shifted to Vallah. The assailant was identified as Zulfan, a resident of Haryana.</p>
<p>ACP Jaspal Singh said, "A person named Zulfan resident of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana climbed on the second floor of Guru Ram Das Sarai complex. He had an iron rod in his hand. When a worker tried to stop him, he attacked the worker Jasbir Singh. When the devotees and other workers tried to stop him, he attacked them also. They handed over Zulfan to police...A case has been registered and further investigation is underway."</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/breaking-sukhbir-singh-badal-shot-at-outside-golden-temple-assailant-overpowered-by-crowd-781319">Sukhbir Singh Badal shot at outside India's Golden Temple, assailant overpowered by crowd</a></strong></p>
<p>Dr Sahil Kundra, Medical officer at the Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital said that two patients are in critical condition.</p>
<p>Dr Sahil Kundra said, "Five patients were admitted to the hospital. Two patients are serious and have been shifted to Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College &amp; Hospital, Vallah. Three patients have been relieved after getting first aid. Out of the two patients, one is on ventilator."</p>
<p>Earlier, Kotwali SHO Sarmel Singh said, "Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has handed over a person named Zulfan to the police. There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, and people of both sides suffered injuries. The workers of SGPC have also been injured. Action will be taken according to law.</p>
<p>"The patients were admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar. The hospital is run by the SGPC.</p>
<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from ANI feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>

India news: A person named Zulfan climbed on 2nd floor of Guru Ram Das Sarai complex. He had an iron rod in his hand. When a worker tried to stop him, he attacked Jasbir Singh.

ANI | At least five people were injured after an assailant attacked people with an iron rod in the Golden Temple premises on Friday. The attack took place at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai which is a lodging facility for pilgrims. Two patients in serious condition were shifted to Vallah. The assailant was identified as Zulfan, a resident of Haryana. ACP Jaspal Singh said, "A person named Zulfan resident of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana climbed on the second floor of Guru Ram Das Sarai complex. He had an iron rod in his hand. When a worker tried to stop him, he attacked the worker Jasbir Singh. When the devotees and other workers tried to stop him, he attacked them also. They handed over Zulfan to police...A case has been registered and further investigation is underway." Also read: Sukhbir Singh Badal shot at outside India's Golden Temple, assailant overpowered by crowd Dr Sahil Kundra, Medical officer at the Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital said that two patients are in critical condition. Dr Sahil Kundra said, "Five patients were admitted to the hospital. Two patients are serious and have been shifted to Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College & Hospital, Vallah. Three patients have been relieved after getting first aid. Out of the two patients, one is on ventilator." Earlier, Kotwali SHO Sarmel Singh said, "Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has handed over a person named Zulfan to the police. There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, and people of both sides suffered injuries. The workers of SGPC have also been injured. Action will be taken according to law. "The patients were admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar. The hospital is run by the SGPC. Disclaimer: This story has been published from ANI feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Man attacks devotees with iron rod at Golden Temple in Amritsar, five injured

India strongly rejected the unfounded allegations made by Pakistan in the wake of the BLA group's attack on the Jaffar Express train. 

The Indian government told Pakistan that the world knows where the true "epicentre of global terrorism" lies, and asked it to look inward. 

Watch the video to know about how India pushed back against Pakistan's claims.

Jaffar Express Attack: India trashes Pakistan’s claim on supporting terrorism

Lithuanian national Alexsej Besciokov, wanted by the US for allegedly using cryptocurrency exchange Garantex to launder criminal proceeds was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Police.

Lithuanian crypto fugitive Alexsej Besciokov arrested in India at US request

<p>As the festival of colours 'Holi' unfolded across India on Friday (March 14), global leaders and foreign embassies pitched in to celebrate the vibrant festival.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With an universal appeal of the festival, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was seen celebrating with colours amongst a large ISKCON gathering, an Auckland video showed.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The prime minister is also scheduled to make an official visit to India on March 16, in a move to strengthen bilateral relations.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Holi wishes on X, "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen."</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-generated-holi-bash-pm-modi-donald-trump-musk-meloni-and-virat-kohli-come-together-for-a-festive-splash-8853720">'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash!</a></strong></p>
<p>Israeli embassy also shared a post, extending heartfelt Holi wishes, saying that the <span>Israeli Consul General </span>Kobbi Shoshani is celebrating Holi in "Indian" way.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr">Celebrating Holi in &ldquo;Indian&rdquo;&hellip;not Bollywood way. बुरा न मानो... होली है<br>Also Happy Purin🇮🇳🇮🇱 <a href="https://t.co/nIjHxJenYB">pic.twitter.com/nIjHxJenYB</a></p>
&mdash; Kobbi Shoshani 🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) <a href="https://twitter.com/KobbiShoshani/status/1900071877881803170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Also, former Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon stressed that he miss playing Holi in India, wishing everyone Happy Holi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"There are many things that we miss about India. Playing Holi is undoubtedly high on our list. Happy Holi to all our Indian friends," he posted on X.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Russian envoy to India also conveyed Holi wishes, emphasising the deep cultural appreciation between the two nations.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-kolkata-knight-riders-delhi-capitals-squads-celebrate-holi-ahead-of-upcoming-season-8853481">IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals squads celebrate Holi ahead of upcoming season</a></strong></p>
<p>Meanwhile, in China, thousands of people joined the Holi celebrations.</p>
<p>The policemen also participated with great enthusiasm as they were smeared in colours.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thousands of people playing Holi in China and even policemen not spared <a href="https://t.co/RAlLq5cm8K">pic.twitter.com/RAlLq5cm8K</a></p>
&mdash; Woke Eminent (@WokePandemic) <a href="https://twitter.com/WokePandemic/status/1900066442701398213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Philip Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Bhutan shared a post on X, wishing all his Indian friends a colourful and happy Holi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Notably, the BSF personnel stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, India, also celebrated Holi with "gulal".&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-celebrates-vibrant-festival-of-holi-8852925">India celebrates vibrant festival of Holi</a></strong></p>
<p>Despite being away from home, they showed unity and high enthusiasm for the festival.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

India news, trending: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was seen celebrating with colours amongst a large ISKCON gathering, an Auckland video showed.

As the festival of colours 'Holi' unfolded across India on Friday (March 14), global leaders and foreign embassies pitched in to celebrate the vibrant festival. With an universal appeal of the festival, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was seen celebrating with colours amongst a large ISKCON gathering, an Auckland video showed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WION (@wionews) The prime minister is also scheduled to make an official visit to India on March 16, in a move to strengthen bilateral relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Holi wishes on X, "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen." Also read: 'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash! Israeli embassy also shared a post, extending heartfelt Holi wishes, saying that the Israeli Consul General Kobbi Shoshani is celebrating Holi in "Indian" way. Celebrating Holi in “Indian”…not Bollywood way. बुरा न मानो... होली है Also Happy Purin🇮🇳🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/nIjHxJenYB — Kobbi Shoshani 🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) March 13, 2025 Also, former Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon stressed that he miss playing Holi in India, wishing everyone Happy Holi. "There are many things that we miss about India. Playing Holi is undoubtedly high on our list. Happy Holi to all our Indian friends," he posted on X. The Russian envoy to India also conveyed Holi wishes, emphasising the deep cultural appreciation between the two nations. Also read: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals squads celebrate Holi ahead of upcoming season Meanwhile, in China, thousands of people joined the Holi celebrations. The policemen also participated with great enthusiasm as they were smeared in colours. Thousands of people playing Holi in China and even policemen not spared pic.twitter.com/RAlLq5cm8K — Woke Eminent (@WokePandemic) March 13, 2025 Philip Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Bhutan shared a post on X, wishing all his Indian friends a colourful and happy Holi. Notably, the BSF personnel stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, India, also celebrated Holi with "gulal". Also read: India celebrates vibrant festival of Holi Despite being away from home, they showed unity and high enthusiasm for the festival. (With inputs from agencies)

World leaders to foreign embassies: How the world celebrated India's 'festival of colours', Holi

Singapore's state investment company Temasek has signed a deal to pick up close to a 10 per cent stake in the snacks business of Haldiram's. Watch this report for more details!

Temasek takes a 'bite' of India's Haldiram's

Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is celebrated by millions of people across India and around the world. The festival not only marks the arrival of spring but also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of love and unity.

Holi 2025: India comes alive with the festival of colours

Morgan Stanley sees India as a top stock picker's market, citing attractive valuations and a strong recovery outlook. The brokerage predicts India will gain a larger share in global markets as economic indicators improve. Could this be the right time to invest in Indian stocks?

Morgan Stanley bullish on India's stock market comeback

Celebration and joy around the world as festival of colors, Holi knocks the door

A major political clash has erupted between the BJP and DMK over the issue of Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu. Union Minister accused the DMK of ruining students' futures, while Chief Minister Stalin fired back, calling it an act of "entitled bigots." The debate has intensified in Parliament, fueling tensions between the two parties.

India language row: DMK changes Rupee symbol on budget logo

<p>India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Lithuanian national and Russian resident Aleksej Besciokov for allegedly using the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex to launder criminal proceeds.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The arrest was made by the CBI and the Kerala police at the US request.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The officials called him a "fugitive", saying that he was attempting to flee the country at the time of his arrest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;On a request submitted by the USA, the Ministry of External Affairs, acting under the Extradition Act, 1962, issued a provisional arrest warrant on March 10, 2025, against the subject from ACJM Patiala House Court in Delhi. The IPCU, CBI coordinated with Kerala Police for the arrest of fugitive criminal Aleksej Besciokov,&rdquo; a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tamannaah-bhatia-denies-involvement-in-alleged-rs-24-crore-cryptocurrency-fraud-fake-misleading-and-false-8766221">Tamannaah Bhatia denies involvement in alleged Rs 24 million cryptocurrency fraud: 'Fake, misleading, and false'</a></strong></p>
<p>Besciokov is wanted for trial in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Who is Alexsej Besciokov?</h2>
<p>Alexsej Besciokov, a 46-year-old Lithuanian national, was on vacation with his family, when he was arrested by Varkala police on Tuesday evening. Moreover, he is a Russian resident.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Besciokov is also the co-founder of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the US government in 2022.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In an indictment against Besciokov, the US Department of Justice revealed that he is currently on the US Secret Service's Most Wanted list.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/telegram-channels-with-russian-links-offering-cryptocurrency-for-attacks-on-mosques-and-muslims-in-uk-8765549">Telegram channels with Russian links 'offering cryptocurrency' for attacks on mosques and Muslims in UK</a></strong></p>
<p>Notably, Aleksandr Mira Serda (40), a Russian national living in the United Arab Emirates, has also been named in the indictment. Serda is the co-founder of Garantex.&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to the Justice Department, Garantex has handled at least USD 96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since April 2019.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Between 2019 and 2025, Besciokov allegedly &ldquo;controlled and operated&rdquo; Garantex, enabling the laundering of at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency for transnational criminal groups, including terrorist organisations, and violating sanctions, as per US Secret Service documents, according to Reuters.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-crypto-hubs-hong-kong-singapore-lead-young-traders-drive-indias-crypto-boom-8758879">Asian crypto hubs: Hong Kong, Singapore lead, young traders drive India's crypto boom</a></strong></p>
<p>Last week, the US Justice Department announced charges against two administrators of the exchange.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World, trending: In an indictment against Besciokov, the US Department of Justice revealed that he is currently on the US Secret Service's Most Wanted list.

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Lithuanian national and Russian resident Aleksej Besciokov for allegedly using the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex to launder criminal proceeds. The arrest was made by the CBI and the Kerala police at the US request. The officials called him a "fugitive", saying that he was attempting to flee the country at the time of his arrest. “On a request submitted by the USA, the Ministry of External Affairs, acting under the Extradition Act, 1962, issued a provisional arrest warrant on March 10, 2025, against the subject from ACJM Patiala House Court in Delhi. The IPCU, CBI coordinated with Kerala Police for the arrest of fugitive criminal Aleksej Besciokov,” a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. Also read: Tamannaah Bhatia denies involvement in alleged Rs 24 million cryptocurrency fraud: 'Fake, misleading, and false' Besciokov is wanted for trial in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Who is Alexsej Besciokov? Alexsej Besciokov, a 46-year-old Lithuanian national, was on vacation with his family, when he was arrested by Varkala police on Tuesday evening. Moreover, he is a Russian resident. Besciokov is also the co-founder of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the US government in 2022. In an indictment against Besciokov, the US Department of Justice revealed that he is currently on the US Secret Service's Most Wanted list. Also read: Telegram channels with Russian links 'offering cryptocurrency' for attacks on mosques and Muslims in UK Notably, Aleksandr Mira Serda (40), a Russian national living in the United Arab Emirates, has also been named in the indictment. Serda is the co-founder of Garantex. According to the Justice Department, Garantex has handled at least USD 96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since April 2019. Between 2019 and 2025, Besciokov allegedly “controlled and operated” Garantex, enabling the laundering of at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency for transnational criminal groups, including terrorist organisations, and violating sanctions, as per US Secret Service documents, according to Reuters. Also read: Asian crypto hubs: Hong Kong, Singapore lead, young traders drive India's crypto boom Last week, the US Justice Department announced charges against two administrators of the exchange. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Aleksej Besciokov? India arrests Russian resident at US request for running $96 bn crypto scam

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